PR 2883 
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1849 

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rfi? /A^f» J. J. Recti, Printer, 16 Spriice-st. o+'4\ Jgj 

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NOTICE. 

The Proprietor has the gratification to announce to the subscribers oi 
the American edition of Boydell's Illustrations of Shakspeare, that he has 
succeeded far beyond his most sanguine expectations. Many obstacles 
and difficulties which at first presented themselves, have been gradually 
overcome. Sixteen of the plates, the most worn in the whole series, 
have been fully restored to their original proof state, and several others 
are in the hands of the engravers, in process of restoration. Tiius, in 
little more than one year, we have restored nearly one-fourth part of the 
entire work, which will enable me to issue the work regularly in monthly 
parts, as stated in the Prospectus. It may not be amiss to state that the 
plates came into my possession more than six years ago, that I purchased 
liicm with tlie intention to restore them, and that I found it impossible to 
obtain such services as would ensure the success of the undei'taking, until 
it was my good fortune to secure the services of Mr. George Parker, who 
lias the entire supervision of the work. This gentleman, in addition to 
Ills great knowledge and skill in the art of engraving, has all the enthu- 
siasm of his old preceptor, Robert Thew, who was Alderman Eoydell's 
right hand man in getting up the work originally, and who engraved some 
of the most admired plates. This fact, in connection with his intimate 
knowledge of tlie work, and early acquaintance witli many of the distin- 
guished artists originally engaged upon it, are a sufficient guaranty that 
no efforts on his part will be spared to make the work fully equal to the 
first proofs struck by Boydell himself. No expense will certainly be 
spared on my part to effect this obj-ect, and as I commenced the restoration 
with the firm and deliberate determination to prosecute it to its entire ' 
completion, I have made such arrangements as will effect this object be- 
yond the doubt of any probable contingency. Indeed, since we com- 
menced operations, several hundred of the first artists, engravers, connois- 
seurs, and literary men in the country Iiave examined the work in progress, 
and compared the proofs taken from the restored plates with the original 

[ See third page of Cover 



z 



6c, 



(^-"^ PROSPECTUS. 



The subscriber having, by a train of fortunate 
circumstances, become possessed of all the ori- 
ginal one hundred copper-plates of Boydell's 
folio Illustrations of Shakspeare, and believing 



'^ How came tliey here'? — It has been intimated to us that the original 
plates of Boydell's large lUastrations of Shakspeare are in the posses- 
bIou of a gentleman of this city, who is haying- them retouched, frith the 
intention of publishing an edition of them. We very much doubt the 
truth of the intimation, as the plates, 'weighing near two tons, cost the 
Boydells over a million of dollars. If the plates were here, they would 
be a great curiosity and treasure, biit it will be a greater curiosity if 
any Shakspeare humbug can be played upon the Yankees at this late day." 
—The Sun, Jaii. Qih. 

The Shakspeare Plates. 

" To the Editor of the Sun. Dear Sir :— Observing a paragraph respect- 
ing the Boydell Shakspeare Plates, I think it my duty (knowing the 
fact) to infoi'm you the plates are the original, and were sent to this 
country about four years since, and were purchased by Dr. Spooner, who 
is having them recut at an enormous expense. The first cost, Mr. Boy- 
dell informs us in the preface of the work, was over five millions of dollars, 
including the original paintings they were engraved from. I have no 
interest in this statement but the dissemination of truth. Dr, Spooner 
bought the splendid copy of proof impressions at the sale of the lato 
liidel Town, to have them recut from. Yours, respectfully, 

TALBOT WATTS." 

''Many Artists. — Any one who is in possession of the copper-plates, con- 
taining the engravings of what was called the Shakspeare Gallery, has 
the identical plates belonging to Alderman Boydell. How they got here 
We know not, but there was only this gallery — this series of pictures 
published.'" — Sunday Times and NoaKs Weekly Messenger^ Jan. 9th. 

^^Many Artists, consider that the report relative to Boydell's Shak- 
sjieare Gallery being at present in this country, must be meant to hum- 
bug the community. It is no doubt true. AH the plates have been pur- 
chased, are here, and are in process of being retouched by the engraver, 



2 PROSPECTUS. 

that he would render the public a service by- 
restoring them to their original beauty, applied 
himself with diligence to effect this object. As 
a work of art, in design, in execution, in unlim- 
ited outlay of time and money, in the employ- 
ment of the best talent in Great Britain, and in 
the patronage and cordial support of the king, 



We saw one of the retouched plates, which looked nearly as good as a 
proof print. We understood the owner to say he had 100 plates ; and they 
can be no other than Boydell's mammoth work." — Sunday Times and 
Noah's Weekly Messenger^ Jan. 1 Qth. 

^ From the Commcjcial AdveTtiser, Feb. 1. 
"A Crmious Piece of History. — About the year 1785, Alderman J. Boy- 
dell, of London, conceived the project of establishing a ' Shakspeare 
Gallery,' upon a scale of grandeur and magnificence which should be in 
accordance with the fame of the poet, and, at the same time, reflect honor 
upon the state of the arts in Great Britain and throughout- the world 
Mr. Boydell was at this time a man of great wealth and influence, and a 
patron of the fine arts, being an engraver himself, and having accumu- 
lated his fortune mostly by dealings in works of that character. 

He advertised for designs from artists throughout Great Britain, and 
paid a guinea for every one submitted, whether accepted or not ; and for 
every one accepted by the committee, a prize of one hundred giiinens. 
The committee for selecting these designs was composed of five eminent 
artists, Boydell himself being the president. The first painters of the 
age were then employed to paint these pictures, among whom were Sir 
Joshua Reynolds, Sir Benjamin West, Fuseli, Romney, Northcote, 
Smirke, Sir William Becchy and Opie. 

Allan Cunningham, in his 'Lives of Eminent British Artists,' men 
tions that Sir Joshua Reynolds was at first opposed to Boydell's project 
as impracticable on such an immense scale, and Boydell, to gain his appro 
bation and assistance, privately sent him a letter enclosing a jEI 000 Ban!-, 
of England note, and requesting him to paint two pictures at his owa 
price. What sum was eventually paid by Boydell for these pictures was 
never known. A magnificent building was erected in Pall Mall to ex- 
hibit this immense collection, called the Shakspeare Gallery, and was 
for a long time the pride of Loudon. 

The first engravers of England were employed to transfer these gems 



PROSPECTUS, 3 

nobility and gentry of England, BoydelFs Illus- 
trations of Shakspeare stands pre-eminent and 
wholly unrivalled.^ 

After having finished a number of the plates, 
the most v/orn and difficult to be restored, and 
taken proofs from them, all the most distin- 
guished artists, engravers, and connoisseurs, in 



to copper, and such artists as Sharp, Bartolozzi, Earlom, Thew, Simon, 
Middiman, Watson, Fyttler, Wilson, and many otliers, exerted their tal- 
ents for years in this great "V'fork. In some instances the labor of raoro 
than five years was expended on a single plate, and proof impressions 
Tvere taken for subscribers at almost every stage of the ■work. At length 
in 1803, after nearly twenty years, the work was completed. The price 
fixed (which was never reduced) was two guineas each, for the first 300 
imiDressionS; and the subscription list was then filled up at one guinea 
each, or one hundred guineas a set, of one hundred plates. 

Besides these subscriptions, large donations were made by many of the 
noblemen of England, to encourage the undertaking and to enable Boy- 
dell to meet his enormous outlay. The cost of the whole work, from the 
commeucemcnt, is said to have been more than one million pounds ster- 
ling ; and although the projector was a wealthy man when he com- 
menced it, he died .'^oon after its completion, a bankrupt to the amount, it 
is said, of £250,000. 

After these plates were issued, Boy dell petitioned Parliament to allow 
him to dispose of his gallery of paintings by a lottery. The petition was 
granted, and the whole collection was thus disposed of. One of the 
finest of these pictures, King Lear, by Sir Benjamin West, is now in tho 
Boston AthensBum. 

One fact in relation to these plates gives great value to them. All 
the principal historical characters are genuine portraits of the persons 
represented in the play ; every picture-gallery and old castle in England 
was ransacked to furnish these portraits. 

After a certain number of copies had been taken fi-om the plates they 
were laid aside, some of them having been worn but little, while others 
required much labor to restore them to their original beauty. A few 
copies of the work have been brought to this country at different times, 
and are now to be found in the hands of amateurs, and in public libraries. 
Many of the single prints have been sold m this city at from 15 to 25 
dollars each. But it is now almost impossible to procure them at any price, 



4 PROSPECTUS. 

the city of New York, were invited to examine 
and Jicrutinize the work, and to compare criti- 
cally these proofs with the best copies in Ameri- 
ca, some of which were engraver's proofs before 
the letter. The result of this trial has been most 
satisfactory ; and the subscriber has, upon their 
decision, and by the advice of his friends and the 



and nothing but tlie occasional breaking up of a public, or extensive pri- 
vate library, gives any opportunity of procuring them. 

By some means 'which cannot now be accounted for, all the plates have 
found their way to this country, and the one hundred, weighing nearly 
4000 pounds, have been purchased by Dr. S. Spooner, of this city. This 
gentleman, who has long been conversant with works of art, has been 
for many months silently but steadily pushing on the work of restoring 
tho plates, and has been peculiarly fortunate in securing the services of 
Mr- George Parker, an engraver of no ordinary merit. It is a little sin- 
gular that this gentleman was a pupil of the celebrated '' Thew," when 
the latter was engaged on these same plates originally, and as Thew 
was considered almost the inventor of the art of stipple engraving, it 
will be seen that there is every reason to suppose Mr. Parker well qual- 
ified to do justice to the work. Dr. Spooner spares no pains or money 
in the prosecution of the labor, and has succeeded in restoring a num- 
ber of the plates to such perfection that proofs from them cannot be dis- 
tinguished from the original impressions. Some two years will be con- 
sumed in accomplishing the entire restoration and publication, and al- 
though he will be obliged to expend a large sum of money, there can be 
no doubt that he will be compensated by the admirers of the arts in the 
United States." 

From the ^ome Journal, Feb. 14. 
THE FINE ARTS IN AMERICA. 
" Something more than fifty years ago, England imported from France^ 
Holland. Germany, and other portions of Europe, almost all the specimens 
of good engraving to be found in that kingdom. By the exertions of a 
single individual, aided by national taste and patronage, in less than 
twenty years this trade was entirely changed, and Great Britain supplied 
for a length of time, the rest of the civilized world with almost all that 
13 beautiful and meritorious, in this branch of the Fine Arts. Napoleon, 
■with his strong arm, and bold policy, tore from European kings and no- 



PROSPECTUS. 5 

lovers of tiie Fine Arts, determined to pusli the 
work to its entire completion as rapidly as the 
necessity for accuracy and care will admit." 

To those who may not he acquainted with this 
great work, the subscriber begs leave to say that 
it contains 100 plates, all of which are perfect 
studies, having from ten to twenty full-length fig- 



bles, all those monuments of genius and cultivation, witli which peace 
had enriched their palaces and castles : and, while these trophies still 
adorned the walls of the Louvre, with characteristic sagacity, he took 
measures to have these beautiful paintings transferred to copper, by the 
first artists of the age. This was the first check which England and 
English artists experienced in the growing monopoly of their own bu- 
rines. But during this harvest of British engravers, one monument was 
erected to the glory of the Arts in England, by John Boydell, afterwards 
Lord Mayor of London, which no subsequent efforts of genius or wealth 
seem at all likely to eclipse or rival. Selecting a subject which belongs 
to, and equally interests the whole civilized world, he lavished millions 
of dollars upon a work, which no individual, or even government, will 
ever again undertake to duplicate. Thirty-two painters, and thirty en- 
gravers, were employed with a princely liberality ; and all that wealthj 
perseverance, enthusiasm, and a kingly patronage, could do, was done in 
twenty years' labor, to produce that magnificent work, BoydeWs One 
Hundred Illustrations of Skakspeare. 

But the author of this immense undertaking, although he placed his 
name among the highest on the list, as a noble patron of the Arts, and 
gave an energetic and powerful impulse to the cultivation of those Arts, 
which will never be lost or forgotten, yet, in doing it, he beggared him- 
self, and died in 1804, at the age of 85, almost broken-hearted at not 
being able to bestow upon the British public his immense gallery of 
paintings as a gift worthy of their acception. 

Lnmediately after Boydell's death, this whole collection of pictures, 
"was scattered over the world — but one of them, it is believed, ever find- 
ing its way to America; and that can be seen in the Boston Athenaeum. 
But the copper-plates, upon which all these paintings have been so accu- 
rately and so beautifully copied, after having been suffered to lie idle 
for many years, have at last caught the spirit of emigration, have crossed 
the Atlantic, been landed in this city ; and having fallen into the hands 
of Dr. Spooner, who, knowing how to appreciate them, they will, under 



6 PEOSPECTirS. 

ures in the foreground, most of which are genuine 
portraits, in every variety of grouping and compo- 
sition, and every human passion faithfully delin- 
eated, forming a series of the most original pictures 
ever executed. It is also believed that nothing 
can be done that will have so great a tendency 
to cultivate a taste for the fine arts, in our country, 



the burine of Parker and other artists, in the course of eighteen months, 
be fully restored to all tlieir former beauty. A portion of them are 
already finished ; and we have compared proofs from those completed 
with a fine copy of the work struck by Boydell, and which was the pro- 
perty of the late Ithiel Town, of New Haven ; and the most skilful con- 
noisseur in such matters cannot detect the least diiierence between the 
two. 

It certainly must be considered a fortunate circumstance that the 
American public are now to reap the advantage of the great original out- 
lay on this work ; and althotsgh some $30,000 will necessarily be ex- 
pended upon it by its present owner, yet the copies will be offered to 
subscribers at so low a price as will enable every gentleman who posses- 
ses a library^ to add a set of these fine illustrations to it, and which will 
do much towards cultivating a taste for the Fine Arts on this side of the 
Atlantic. 

Thus, whilst the van of our nation is marching boldly across the con- 
tinent, carrying the blessings of civilization, and a free government, to 
the shores of the Pacific, the great masses of the Anglo-Saxon race — ^who 
swarm our eastern cities, are scattered along the vallies of our noble 
rivers, and the borders of our great lakes — will be steadily and constant- 
ly making progress in all the Arts and Sciences, which have hei'etofore 
enriched and refined the inhabitants of Europe ; and a few centuries 
heace Will find America great ^in her jTopulation, great in her produc- 
tions and resoiirces, and great in all the refinements of society and taste^ 
without the viees and miseries, which degrade and stultify the nations ol 
the old world." 

Fro^ the Courier end Enqinrer^ March 2d. 

" The Cost of the SnAKSPEAKE Gallery.— It has been a maxim with 

the prudent, calculating portion of mankind, " that a thing is worth 

■what it will sell for." Grant it. What, then, did the works of William 

Shakspeare sell for in 1596, when thoy came fresh from the mind and 



PROSPECTUS. 7 

as a general circulation of these splendid prints, 
illustrating as they do the genius of the great 
poet, and emanating from the most distinguished 
British artists, as Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir Ben- 
jamin West, Sir William Beechy, Fuseli, Rom- 
ney, Northcote, Westall, Smirke, Opie, as paint 
ers ; and Sharpe, Bartolozzi, Earlom, Thew, Si- 



hand of that wonderfully gifted man ? — Ten pounds ten shillings, or less 
than $60 each, is about the average of what he realized for his plays ! 
And was this amount equal to their real and intrinsic value ? Yet it 
was all they sold for. But there is another way, in which this time-serv- 
ing standard may be applied, which will startle even the rankest mat- 
ter-of-fact calculator that ever " pshawed'' at the poetry of Milton, or 
. shook his wise head at the beautiful ravings of Ossian. What amount 
of good hard dollars has ever been received for Shakspeare's works 
throughout, the civilized world, from the year 1591 to the present mo- 
ment ? Not less, we presume, than ten millions of dollars ! Of course, 
we hold it to be right that an individual is entitled to credit, for the 
creations of his own brain in all their various illustrated forms, and if so, 
Shakspeare must have the honor and credit of all those beautiful IlluS' 
'tratio7is, foi- the painting, engraving, and printing of which Alderman 
Boydell, of London, paid over tivo millions of dollars. 

Chalmers, in his Biog. Dictionary, says : " The services of Boydell 
were universally appreciated. He was eulogized even from the pulpit 
for his zeal in making the fine arts subservient to the cause of religion. 
Such was the enormous cost of his favorite project, the Shakspeare Gal- 
lery, which he had intended to have presented to the city of London, as 
a lasting monument of his love of the fine arts,— that he became in- 
extricably involved in difllculties, and petitioned and obtained from 
Parliament an act to enable him to dispose of his Gallery by Lottery." 
He lived till the last ticket was disposed of, and died on the 12th day of 
Dec, 1804, at the advanced age of 85 years, his death being hastened, as 
is asserted by his son, Mr. William Boydell, by the chagrin he expe- 
rienced at being compelled to dispose of the Shakespeare Gallery, con- 
trary to his cherished designs. This gentleman further declares that the 
entire cost of the Shakspeare Gallery — the buildings, designs, paintings, 
copper plates, &c. — was rising £1,000,000 sterling. 

The copper-plates here spoken of, have been purchased and sent to 
the United States, and are all to be restored to their former beauty. 



8 PROSPECTUS. 

mon, Middiman, Watson, Fyttler, Wilson, snd 
many others, as engravers. We have few pub- 
lic galleries of paintings, and must therefore 
mostly form our taste for this branch of the fine 
arts, from engravings ; and these plates are fit to 
grace the drawing room or portfolio of any gen- 
tleman. Nothing, it is conceded, has a greater 



without in the least changing their character of originality, or altering 
a single line. . A portion of them are already completed, and experienced 
critics in such matters tell ns, that the proof impressions from the 
restored plates, are fully equal -to the original, taken by Boydell him- 
self, before his death. 

■ The effect of the publieation of this raagnifieeni work in America, 
must be to increase the love of the fine arts, and greatly to improve and 
extend a correct and cultivated taste throughout the United States. 
With this view, every gentleman who owns a library can possess himself 
of a copy of these haixutitul illustrations^ which, in themselves, are akaosfe 
a. necessary accompaniment to the works of ^bakspeare, and with them 
forms the best and most perfect library of human nature, and the human 
heart, with the exception of the Bible, that ever Ms or ever n>ill be 
■written." ■ 

^ Fro7u tlie Morning Star, March ISih. 

" Alderman Boydell's Gallery. — The admirers of Shakspeare will 
remember, that the late Alderman Boydell, of London, published what 
was called the Shakspeare Gallery, at an expense of a million of dollars. 
The Paintings and Engravings were exquisitely finished. Many of the 
characters in the historical plays were from original portraits. Our 
readers will be pleased to learn that the whol&gallery consisting of lOO 
Copper Plates, is in jjoss^ssion of I)octor Spooner of this city, who last 
evening exhibited them to a number of artists and Jiterary men. The 
Doctor will, at a great expense, have all the plates retouched." 

From tlie Co?nmerciaI Advertiser, March ISth. 
" The Boydell Pictukes. — There was a meeting, last evening, at the 
house of Dr. Spooner, in Liberty-street, for the purpose of critically ex- 
amining the copper-plates of Boydell's Illustrations of Sbakspeare, and 
comparing proofs taken from the restored plates, with Town's proof copy, 
struck by Boydell himself. We learn that more than a hundred invita- 
tions were issued to artists, engravers, connoisseurs, and literary mes. 



PROSPECTUS. 9 

tendency to refine the mind, than the cultivation 
of the fine arts, and it certainly adds greatly to 
our pleasure. If the subscriber can be instru- 
mental in assisting to cultivate the growing taste 
for the fine arts, he vv^ill not consider his under- 
taking fruitless, even though he should fail in 
reaping the pecuniary recompense, which he 



The meeting "was well attended, especially by artists and engravers, -who 
have taken great interest in the work. But one opinion was expressed, 
that the restoration of the work thus far has been completely successful, 
and that the proofs from the restored plates are fully equal to the origi- 
nal first impressions. 

Dr. Spooner had all the copper-plates arranged for the inspection of 
the curious. The examination of several plates now in the process of 
restoration is very interesting. Every line in the plates is re-cut with the 
graver. This is certainly a work of great magnitude, and it is to be 
hoped that the enterprising owner will be seconded in his efforts by a 
liberal patronage of this magnificent work. 

Dr. Spooner keeps open house on Saturday and Monday, and invites 
all who feel interested to call and examine the engravings." 

From the Courier and Enquirer^ March 20th. 

" Interesting works of ^^rt. — "We have already stated that the original 
plates of Boydell's Illustrations of Shakspeare have been procured by 
Dr. Spooner, of this city, and brought hither. Efforts have been in 
progress for some time past for their restoration, and they are now, we 
are happy to say, completed, and prove to be completely successful. 
Proofs have been taken from them, and carefully compared by some of 
our best artists with the original engravings struck by Boydell him- 
self from the same plates, and we believe we are justified in saying that 
they were unanimously pronounced fully equal to the London work, aa 
issued in 1806. 

These engravings have long enjoyed a reputation as being the finest by 
far ever made in illustration of the world's greatest poet ; and as they 
have become very rare, it is a matter of no small interest that the plates 
should have been restored, and the faculty thus acquired of multijjlying 
these splendid pictures. 

Dr. Spooner has been strongly urged to continue his efforts in this 
matter, and to push the work to a speedy completion. We cannot doubt 



10 PK0SPECTT7S. 

trusts a liberal public will feel willing to bestow 
upon a project of this nature, involving as it does 
a very heavy outlay of capital in the commence- 
ment, and much risk of loss in its prosecution. 

The subscriber pledges himself to spare no 
eiforts or expense in perfecting the work, and 
making it in every way worthy of its magnitude. 



that it will prove eminently successful, and that he ■ffill find himself 
abundantly repaid for the hea-?y outlay of money, and the still heavier 
expenditure ef labor, which he has iHCurred. The enterprise is one 
"Which must enlist the sympathies of every cultivated person : and it can- 
not fail to meet a hearty welcome from the entire literary community .'' 

Frovi the Express, March 21st, 
'' BoydelFs celebrated Illustrations of Shakspeare have been purchased 
by Dr. Spooner, of this city, and are row here. He has succeeded, won- 
derful to relate, in restorisg these valuable plates, so as to afford proof 
impressions, almost, if not quite, equal, in freshness, distinctness and 
eifect, to the originals. We are aware that this will seem, to those 
sf our readers who have seen Moon's impressions, a hard thing to be- 
KcvCj but it is the opinion of some of out best artists. Such an enter- 
prise as this should be well sustained by all liyvers of high art, and we 
learn that an opportunity will be given shortly, it being the object and 
intention of Dr. Spooner to publish the whole series by subscription ere 
long." 

From the Home Journal, March 25th. 
" The Fine Arts. — Vie have never been more strongly impressed with 
the truth of the old proverb in relation to perseverance, than at the "re- 
cherche" entertainrDent, given by Dr. Spooner, to some eighty or a hun- 
dred artists, engravers, and literary gentlemen, on Thursday evening 
last. It is true that the '• good things of this life " were not wanting ; 
and If any went for the mere purpose of tasting the " bivalves^'^ or of im- 
bibing a glass of good Madeira, or sparkling Champagne, they were not 
disappointed. But we believe that, like ourselves, the pleasure of the 
entertainment to all, arose from the rare opportunity of closely inspect- 
ing that wonder of talent, perseverance, and triumph of the engraver's 
art, exhibited in the " One Hundred Shahspeare , Flutes^'' which are so 
justly becoming famous in this city. It is pleasant to look at a beautiful 
engraving ; but how few persons, in doing so, understand or appreciate 



PROSPECTUS. 11 

and of the subjects illustrated. He proposes to 
publish the work in monthly parts of two or 
more plates each, at the unprecedented low price 
of one dollar per plate, to subscribers. Boydell's 
subscription price was two guineas ($10) per 
plate, for the first 300 proofs, and one guinea per 
plate, for the prints ; besides, many noblemen and 



the patient toil and skilful pi'otracted labor bestowed upon the plate, by 
the artist. It is not mere manual labor ; but skill, caution, and caro 
must all be constantly exercised to their fullest extent ; the slightest 
mistake being almost fatal to the perfection of the work. The Boydell 
Shakspeare Plates employed over thirty engravers, for many years? 
in their execution ; and the cost of the vroi-k can be host under- 
stood by the knowledge of the fact, that one of the plates has had 
over six years of labor bestowed upon it. The style of engraving is a 
compound of the stipple and line, and, as some of the designs and finish 
are superior to others — the latter having been most printed from, are, of 
course, most worn ; and it was of these plates, which have been first 
commenced upon by the doctor, that nearly all the engravers in this 
country pronounced it impossible to efiTect a perfect restoration, without 
changing the character of the work, or, by preserving it, involve an expen- 
diture of something like a hundred thousand dollars. But Dr. Spooner, 
with a perseverance worthy of great praise, has surmounted all difficul- 
ties, and overcome all doubts, and the examination of the restored plates, 
on Thursday evening, by artists, engravers, and those best capable of judg- 
ing of the work, has resulted in the full conviction, freely expressed, that 
the proofs from the restored plates are fully equal to the original and first 
impressions, when they came fresh from the hands of Alderman Boydell. 
In effecting this restoration, every line, however minute, has to 
be re-cut or deepened, and then " bit up" with acids, until the work is 
wrought up as high as is desired, and it is then "proved." This 
process is repeated • with great care, in some instances, five or six 
times, or until the plate is brought up to its original, state. It is cer- 
tainly very fortunate that the services of Mr. Parker, who was a pupil 
of " Thew's," has been secured for this work ; for, aside from his 
knowledge of the art, and his skill in this particular branch of it, his 
early connection with the engravers of these plates, imparts a kind of 
national pride and enthusiasm to his labors, which ensures, and has so 
far effected, complete success in the undertaking. 



13 PROSPECTUS. 

others made handsome donations, in addition to 
their subscriptions, to encourage the work ; and 
yet he failed for the enormous sum of two hun- 
dred and fifty thousand pounds sterling. During 
the lifetime of the Boydells it was never sold 
for less than one hundred guineas per set. Some 
of the proofs in former years have brought at pub- 



Tliat the pulblication of this great -work in the United States, uader 
such favorable auspices, "will be of immense benefit to the progress of the 
ArtSj cannot be doubted ; and we ■wish the Doctor all the success which 
his enterprise deserves ; and as it is now acknowledged by all, that the 
engravings will be equal to the first proofs, we cannot consider the ex- 
pense attending it too great an outlay for so important an undertaking ; 
and lovers of the fine arts, amateurs, admirers of Shakspeare, owners of 
private, and managers of public libraries, and gentlemen of fortune 
must all feel a deep interest in encouraging and patronizing this mag- 
nificent work." 

From tM Sunday Times and Noah's Weekly Messenger, March 26. 
" The Boydell Gallery. — Dr. Spooner's collection of the Shakspeare 
Gallery has excited considerable attention among amateurs and profes- 
sional men. . He has all the original plates of the entire Gallery, and haa 
succeeded in restoring them, so as to obtain valuable proof impressions 
This enterprise should be sustained by the patrons of the fine arts 
throughout the Union. The collection is a splendid one." 

From the Nem YorJc Tribune, March 25th, 1848. 
"Boydell's Shakspe.\k.e Gallery. — We looked in at Dr. Spooner's, 
106 Liberty-street, yesterday to observe the success of an attempt now 
in progress, in our city, to renovate the plates of the famous Boydell's 
Shakspeare. These plates, one hundred in number, and of the largest 
size, were got up at an enormous cost ; designers, painters, and engravera, 
having been engaged at the most prodigal rates, and the whole artistic 
talent of Great Britain laid under contribution to produce a gallery 
worthy of Shakspeare. The whole was issued at some $500 for the se- 
ries, and the plates were in due time worn to dimness and comparative 
worthlessness by the demand for impressions. Having been purchased 
by an American, a daring and costly effort has been made to restore 
them to their pristine sharpness of outline and vigor of expres- 



PEOSPECTUS. 13 

lie sales, fifteen guineas each in London, and 
twenty-five dollars in New York. 

The work will be printed on thick linen pa- 
per, 24 by 30 inches, weighing 140 lbs. to the 
ream. Each print will be accompanied with a 
stereotype letter-press description of the same, 
with quotations from the text which it illustrates. 



sion, and, in the judgment of our artists and connoisseurs, with com- 
plete success. Eight of the plates have been renovated, and their im- 
pressions are fully equal to the earliest proofs. As what has been done 
may again be, this triumph is of the first importance to the world of Art 
An American edition of the Shakspeare Gallery will in due time be 
issued." 

From the Evening Post, March 28th. 

" De. Spooner's restoration of Boydei.l's Shakspeare Gallery. — 
Dr. Spooner, of this city, is engaged in a very successful attempt to re- 
store the worn-out -plates of Boydell's Illustrations of Shakspeare. — 
There are one hundred of these plates, of a very large size, forming a most 
sumptuous work. The designs were furnished by the best artists of Eng- 
land, at the time when West was in his prime. They comprise many by 
West himself, some by Northcote. some of the remarkable conceptions of 
Fuseli, and various other eminent artists — the price was a hundred 
guineas. The old plates have been purchased by Dr. Spooner, who has 
. already restored five or sis of them, so perfectly that the impressions 
appear like proofs, and compare very accta-ately with the early proofs: 

We shall be glad to see an American edition of the Shakspeare Gal- 
lery, rivalling in beauty the original London edition." 

CERTIFICATES. 

*> " We, the undersigned, having examined some of the original copper- 
plates of ' Boydell's Illustrations of Shakspeare,' alid compared 
the proofs taken from them by Boydell himself, with those taken by Dr. 
S. Spooner, within the last few weeks, from a number of the plates resto- 
red by him, give it as our deliberate opinion and judgment, that his efforts 
to restore this magnificent work, have, so far, proved entirely successful, 
and we heartily recommend it to the American public as being in every 
respect worthy of their liberal patronage, and as eminently calculated 



u 



PROSPECTUS. 



printed on the best hot-pressed linen paper, of 
the same size as the print, with tissue paper be- 
tween, which will add greatly to the beauty and 
interest of the work. In Boy dell's editions, there 
is no description of the plates, nor tissue paper ; 
and only a list of the plates at the end of the vol- 
umes. The work, when completed, will form 



not only to gratify those who may become its possessors, but also, to en- 
courage and promote the adTancement of the Fine Arts in our country 
New York, March, 1848. 



J. Watson Webb, 

Jno. Inman, 

M M. Noah, 

Geo. p. MokriSj 

N. P. Willis, 

Horace Greeley, 

N. Calyo, 

Henry H. Leeds & Co., 

Stephen H. Tyng (d.d.), 

Aaron Vanderpool, 

Egbert Benson, 

Wm. B. Cozzens, 

James W. Gerard, 

Valentine Mott (m.d.), 

Horace Green (m.d.), 

George Potts (d.d.), 

Smith W. Anderson, 

C. Temple Emmet, 

David Graham, \ 

J. I. Coddingiton, 

John W. Francis (m.d.) 

James R. Whiting, 

John McKeon, 

Campbell P. White, 

John Van Buren, 

JoNA. M. Wainwright (d.d.), 

Wm. Berrian (d.d.), 

John Doggett, jr., 

James W. Smlth, jr.. 



Washington Irving, 
John Eadie, jr., 
Andrew H. Mickle, 
John Wiley, 
Geo. p. Putnam, 
Dan'l Appleton & Co., 
W. L. Ormsby, 
Talbot Watts, 
e. m. townsend, 
Hugh Maxwell, 
Francls Barretto, 
Theodore Sedgwick, 
Dudley Selden, 
Aaron Clark, 
Wm. T. Porter, 
John T. Tuttle (m.d.), 
Aaron Levy, 
David B. Ogden, 
Edward Mills, 
Danforth & Hufty, 
Theo. Frelinghuysen, 
Prosper M. Wetmobe, 
RoBT. P. Morris, 
Harper & Brothers, 
G. & W. Endicott, 
Henry Brevoort, 
Gardnier G. Howland, 
Wm. V. Brady, 
Ely Moore, 



PROSPECTUS. 16 

two volumes of surpassing beauty, far superior 
to any of the old copies now in the country. 

TERMS. 

To subscribers, $1,00 per plate, including the 
Two vignettes which embellish the title-page 
of each volume. 



Rawdon, Wright & Hatch, ■ Eleazer Parmly, 
Benj. F. Butler, H. W. Hewet, 

S. De Witt Bloodgood, D. D. Howard. 

Gerard C. Lester^ Joseph M. Smith." (m.d.) 

'•' I have looked over the proofs of several plates restored by Dr. 
Spooner, belonging to the engravings of Boydell's Illustrations of 
Shakspeare, and have been struck with the perfect precision and suc- 
cess "W'ith ■which the process has been executed. So far as he has pro- 
ceeded, that splendid work has been brought back to the distinctness 
and beauty belonging to the first impressions taken from the plates in 
England. The undertaking is one which deserves success ; and I hope 
that Dr Spooner will meet with a liberal encouragement from the 
American public. 

WILLIAM C. BRYANT." 

Ne7v York, March 25, 1848. 

" I have had an opportunity to examine the proofs from several restored 
plates, belonging to Boydell's Illustrations of Shakspeare, now in pos- 
session of Dr. Spooner. They are a very great improvement on the worn 
impressions, and give the spirit of the very early impressions. Enter- 
taining this opinion, I heartily wish success to the laudable undertaking. 

ALEXANDER H. STEVENS." 
(President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons.) 
New York, March, 30, 1848. 

" I fully concur in the opinion expressed above by Dr. Alexander H. 
Stevens, in regard to the proofs from the restored plates of Boydell's 
Shakspeare, and, with that gentleman, heartily wish success to the ardu- 
ous task of restoring the whole series undertaken by Dr. Spooner. 

JOHN J. AUDUBON." 

Nen York, April 3d, 1848. 



16 PROSPECTUS. 

Terms cash on the delivery of every QUmber, 
All letters and orders must be post-paid. These 
terms are not above one fifteenth part of the 
present English publishing price for prints of the 
same size and class, as will be seen by the ex- 
tracts given below.° 

The plates are numbered in small figures, from 



" Mr. Boydell rose to great renown and distinction. He was elected 
Alderman in 1782, Sheriff in 1785, and Lord Mayor of London in 1790. 
He also held the office of the Master of the Stationers Company. As the 
most generous promoter of those arts which refine and elevate the mo- 
ral sentiments, he was honored with a public funeral." — Chalmer's Biog 
Dictionary, 

<= The style of engravings ranks as follows : 1st, the Line, 2d, the Stip- 
ple, 3d, the Meszotint, 4th, the Aquatint, and 5th, the Lithograph. 

Of the Shakspeare plates, about one third are line, and the balance 
a compound of the line and stipple. They are exquisitely and elaborate- 
ly engraved, and the general size of the coppers is 20 s 26 inches. In 
many of the plates, especially where satins, laces, or embroideries are 
introduced into the draperies, a grand effect is produced, which could 
not possibly be attained with the simple line. 

To show the extremely low price affixed to the Shakspeare Plates in 
the Prospectus, the prices of the following prints are copied from the 
trade catalogue of the great London piiblishing house, Ackermann & Co. 
The custom of the trade is, to affix three prices to engravings, which 
ih.Qj caXl the print ^ the proofs ^n^ the proof before the letter. The price of 
the proof is usually double that of the print ; and of the proof before the 
letter, three times as much ; and when the proofs become scai'ce, their 
value sometimes is greatly^ increased. The price here given is always 
for the print. The pound sterling is rendered into federal currency, 
leaving out the fractions for brevity. Also, for the same reason, several 
prints are grouped together, when the style, size, and price are about the 
same. Line stands for line ; stipple for stipple ; mezt. for mezzotint ; aqt- 
for aquatint ; and lith. for lithograph. The names of the artists are gene- 
rally omitted ; but where they are given, the first is the painter, and the 
second the engraver. The figures refer to the size of the plate in inches. 
Copied from " Ackermann & Go's Catalogue of prints, comprising the 
new, important, and standard engravings, selected from their own and 
the stock of every other publisher," containing about 600 different prints. 



PEOSPEOTUS. ^ 17 

1 up to 100, in the lower left hand corner, for the 
direction of the binder, and for the convenience 
of those sending orders. This is important, for 
hardly a copy of the original work can he found 
in which some of the plates are not misplaced ; 
and, as there are many worn impressions in the 



Two portraits of the Queen, 22x31, mezi; two portraits of Prince 
Albert, as Field Marshal, and in full robes, 21 x 30, mezt. ; portraits of the 
Queen, and Prince Albert, a pair, 22 x 31, line ; the Queen, equestrian 
portrait, 31 i 36, mezt. ; the Queen, dissolving Parliament, a full length 
portrait, mezt. ; several other subjects, each $15,00. 

Portraits of the Queen Dowager, 16 x 25, mezt. ; do. Emperor of Rus- 
sia, 17 X 26, mezt. ; do. Grand Duke of Russia, 17 x 26, mezt. ; several por- 
traits of the Duke of Wellington, by different artists ; do. of other dis- 
tinguished persons, mostly mezt., some line, each $10,00. 

The Heroes of Waterloo at Apsley House, 22 x 28, mezt. ; the Queen's 
First Council, 23 x 34, mezt. ; the Coronation, 22 x 34, mezt. ; do. another 
24 X 34, mezt. ; Her Majesty's Marriage, 22 x 34, mezt. ; Trial of Effie 
Deans, 22 x 26, mezt. ; Prince Charles Edward, 19 x 30, line ; Reading the 
first Bible in St. Paul's, 19 x 27, line ; Haddon Hall in the days of yore, 
22 X 34, mezt. ; and others, each $20,00. 

About 30 portraits of the Queen, Prince Albert, Duke of Wellington i 
and other distinguished personages, in mezt., line, and stipple, size about 
12 X 15, each, $5, to $7,50. 

The Waterloo Banquet at Apsley House, after W. Slater, 25 x 44, $50. 

The Waterloo Banquet at Apsley House, after Sir David Wilkie, mezt., 
960,00. 

The Queen's First Council, 23 x 34, mezt. ; the Coronation, 22 x 34 • 
do. another, 24 x 34, mezt. ; each $25,00. 

-The Queen receiving the first sacrament, after Leslie, 23 x 43, $60,00 

Martyrs in prison, 20 x 27, mezt. ; Jacoiys Dream, 19 x 27, mezt. ; Death- 
bed of Calvin, 20 x 26, mezt.; Death-bed of Wolsey, 25 x 32, mezt. ; Cov- 
enanter's Baptism, 18 X 24, mezt. ; Covenanters Preaching, 18 x 24, mezt. ; 
Judgment of Solomon, 18 x 24, mezt. ; Opening of the Sixth Seal, 19 x 27, 
mezt. ; King Charles the First in the Guard-room, 13 x 19, line ; Trial of 
the Earl of Stafford, 14 x 21, mezt. ; and many other like subjects, each 
$10,00. 

Sunday Morning, 17 x 23, stipple ; Prayer of Innocence, 12 x 13, line- 
Eleventh Hour, 17 x 20, mezt.; Canterbury Pilgrimage, 10 x 37, line; 



18 PROSPECTUS. 

market, this will be a certain mark, by which to 
distinguish the restored prints. 

A list of all the patrons of the work, with a 
preface, will be given in the concluding part, 
to be bound up with it. 

S. SPOONER. 



Flitcli of Bacon, 12 s 30, line ; Sale of the Pet Lamb, 15 x 20, mezt. ; By- 
ron's Dream, 15 s 23, line ; Corsair's Isle, 22 x 27, mezt. ; Highland Hos- 
pitality, 17x23, mezt. ; Sancho and the Duchess, 14 x 18, line ; Portia 
andBassanio, 13 x 15, line; Shylockand Jessica, 14 x 13, line ; Child with 
Flowers, 10 x 13, line ; "Wolf and Lamb, 16x19, mezt. ; and over 100 sim- 
ilar subjects, in mezt., line, and stipple form, 10 x 14 to IS x 24, each, $5 
to $7,50. 

Italian Pilgrims, 19 x 28, line ; Trial of Charles the First, 22 x 29, mezt. > 
Prince Charles Edward, and Flora McDonald, 21 x 30, stipple ; Baronial 
Hall, 22 X 30, mezt.; Highland Drovers, after Landseer, 17 x 19, mezt.; 
Bolton Abbey, 22 x 28, mezt. ; Slave Market, 22 x 24, mezt. ; and many 
others — each, $15,00. 

There are also quite a number of other prints, ranging from 15 to 30, 
nnd even GO dollars. Prints after Sir David Wilkie, Landseer, and Mar. 
tin, usually range from 5 to 20 dollars ; some few are much higher. 

About 50 Lithographs, as All Fours, The Coronation, Too Hot, A Poser, 
How are You 1 The Bubble, Pet Pig, Pet Lamb, Domestic Felicity, Sleep- 
ing Nymph, Done Up, &c., from 9 x 12 to 12 x 16, each, $1,50. 
Eight hunting pieces, about 17 x 28, mezt. ; each, $15,00. 
Fifty Hunting .and Sporting Pieces, Stage Coaches, Kaces, Race Horses, 
&c.. aqt.. each, about $5,00. 

Thus, it will be seen, that the price of the Shakspeare prints is cer- 
tainly not over one fifteenth part of the present price of English prints 
of the same class, and is act\ially less than that of English Lithographs of 
about one quarter the size. 



APPENDIX. 



Having now issued nine parts (18 plates) of the American Edition of 
Boydell's Illustrations of Shakspeare, it appears to me proper, that I 
should make some farther statements in order to correct the errors which 
frequently meet my eye in the public prints, as Avell as to satisfy numerous 
enquirers. I ought also to express my heart-felt thanks to those gentle- 
men of the Press, and others, Avho have in the kindest and most liberal 
manner noticed the work, and recommended it to public patronage. — 
Cheered on by these flattering testimonials of approbation, I heed not the 
jealous attacks which have been^vafted from the other side of the Atlan- 
tic, nor shall I regard the attempts at black mail, made by certain persons 
in this city. My house has been open from the first, to every person 
who felt interested in the work, and many hundred persons, among whom 
are many of our most distinguished citizens, have called and examined 
the original copper-plates, the process of restoration, compared the proofs 
taken from the restored plates with the original proofs struck by Boydell 
himself, side by side ; and they have pronounced the restoration entirely 
successful, and have recommended the work in the most liberal spirit, as 
every way worthy of public confidence and support. It were impossible 
to deceive such men, and any attempt to palm off upon the public an un- 
truth, or an imposition, would indeed be superlatively ridiculous. The 
magnitude of the enterprise will at once be perceived on reflecting that 
there are 100 plates in the series, one-third of which are line, and the 
others a compound of the line and stipple ; that every line has to be re-cut, 
the stippling re-stippled in every part of the plates, and in some parts of 
them, the process has to be repeated several times in gradually vjorkingup 
the plates to their original proof state. I have now seven engravers con- 
stantly employed, and shall have to increase the number as the work pro- 
gresses. It may not be thought improper for me to state, that I engaged in 
the enterprise against the advice of many warm and respected friends,rely- 
ing entirely upon my own resources ; and that when its success was placed 
beyond a doubt, I promptly refused an offer of illO.OOO for the plates, also 
against their advice, not in any expectation of receiving greater offers or 
greater profit ; but that it is my own favorite project, and that my belief 
is that a man could in no way do so much to promote the advancement 
of those arts which refine and elevate the mind, in our beloved country, 
as the extensive circulation of these magnificent prints ; and for this 
purpose I have made the price as low as possible, in order to put them 
within the means of every man of taste. 



29 APPENDIX. 

The following letter from Gov. Everett to my agents in Boston, is so 
libera] and just, that I beg to call particular attention to it. 

Cambridge, Nov. 4, 1848. 

" Gentlemen — 1 have received your letter of the 2d, ^-ith the copy of the 
new edition of the Prospectus of the " Illustrations of Shakspeare " sent 
with it. As I have not had an opportunity to place the impressions from 
the restored plates side by side with the original prints, I have formed my 
opinion of the probable success of Dr Spooner's great undertaking on the 
testimony of the gentlemen whose names are given in the Prospectus as 
having made the comparison. Several of them are so well known as 
distinguished artists, and persons of highly cultivated taste, that I feel 
confident the proposed American publication will be as substantial a re- 
production of the original magnificent work of Boydell, as the nature 
of the case admits. In this expectation I have subscribed for it, and wish 
it all success. I am, gentlemen, respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

Messrs. Redding & Co. EDWARD EVERETT." 

It would require a volume to give even short extracts from the nume- 
rous recommendatory notices of the work which have appeared in the 
public prints throughout the country. The work is so well known to the 
world, that commendation seems superfluous. It has stood the test of 
seventy years' criticism, and, like Shakspeare, its reputation has steadily 
increased ever since its publication. No better proof of this fact can be 
desired, than this — that most of the Illustrations of Shakspeare, published 
since Boydell's time, have been pirated in whole or in part from his great 
work, A beautiful edition of Shakspeare has recently been published in 
Germany, illustrated in miniature after Boydell; 

" The restoration is entirely successful, and has the unqualified appro- 
bation of the best critics in such matters. The work originally cost aa 
incredible sum, and the whole artistic talent of Great Britain was laid 
under contribution for twenty years in producing it. The restoration of 
the work is a great enterprise which should enlist the sympathies and 
liberal patronage of the public." — Courier and Enquirer, July 20, 1848. 

" The impressions from the restored plates appear like proofs, and com- 
pare very accurately with the early proofs. The restoration is most per- 
fect and satisfactory. Boydell's price v/as one hundred guineas." — N. Y. 
Evening Post, July 21. 

" We have examined the original proofs, the defaced impressions, and 
the restored copies, side by side, and consider the last in no respect infe- 
rior to the first." — N. Y. Tribune, July W. 

" It is an enterprise worthy of the most liberal encouragement." — 
Commercial Advertiser, July 20. 

"It is a subject of congratulation among the lovers of the fine arts, to 
see the perfect revival of this magnificent Shakspeare Gallery. The 
enterprising proprietor has twelve of the plates restored, and several 
others are in rapid progress. Dr. Spooner has fixed the price of each 
pla'e at only one dollar. The original subscription, we believe, was 
two guineas. It ought to have, and no doubt will have a large circula- 
tion. Every housekeeper should possess himself of the entire series."-— 
Noah's Weekly Messenger, July 20. 



APPENDIX. 21 

" The restoration is pronounced by the best judges perfectl/ successful 
and equal to the first proofs. Each plate has a letter-press descripiion 
accompanying it, which is a perfect key to each figure, and which adds 
greatly to the interest and beauty of the work. The price is only one 
dollar the plate, which is exceedingly low, being only one-tenth part of 
Boydell's proof price. This is certainly a great undertaking, which 
should be encouraged by every lover of the fine arts." — Hovie Journal, 
July 22. 

" Having examined the original copper plates, and compared the proofs 
taken from the restored plates with a proof copy struck by Boydell him- 
self, we have no hesitation in saying that in our judgment the restoraiion 
is perfectly successful in every particular. Dr. Spooner has a certificate 
to this eflect, signed by more than one hundred well-known citizens of 
New-York." — Comviercial Advertiser, Aug. 7. 

" The Shakspeare Plates — Part III. This part contains the two fa- 
mous prints after Peters, illustrating the Merry Wives of Windsor — the 
one, Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page comparing letters ; the other, FalstafF in 
the buck basket. Both plates are engraved in the most masterly manner. 
They were the most difficult to restore in the whole series, in consequence 
of their having been worn to smoothness by the demand for impressions 
The restoration, however, has be^n perfectly successful. The prints are 
fully brought up to the beauty of the proof copy. We have compared 
them side by side. The work, as it progresses, inci eases in beauty, and, 
when completed, will form the most splendid and original work ever exe- 
cuted. This great and worthy enterprise ought to be encouraged by every 
lover of the fine arts and every liberal man." — Courier <^^ Enqidrer, Sep. 10. 

"Boydell's Illustrations of Shakspeare. — An American edition of 
this celebrated w-ork is now publishing under the proprietory care of Dr. 
Spooner, of New- York. Eight of these large and superb plates have ap- 
peared, and on comparing them with the old English edition, we have 
been surprised at the freshness and perfection of the impressions. The 
London Athenceum recently expressed its incredulity at the possibility of 
procuring any more good impressions from these plates. But we thinlc 
that no candid examiner can deny that Dr. Spooner has succeeded fully 
in his undertaking. Many of the impressions could not be distinguished 
from the original issues, except from the tint of the paper. All amateurs 
and lovers of prints should call at Redding & Co.'s, the Boston Agents, 
and look at the eight plates that have been published. They are afforded 
at less than one-fifth of the London ^xice.."— Boston Eve7ung Transcript, 
Oct. 11. — Park Benjamin, Esq., Ed. 

Boydell's Illustrations op Shakspeare. — Some time since, after we 
had examined the original plates in process of restoration, we called the 
attention of our readers to the pleasure preparing for them. The expec- 
tations which we then entertained have been more than realized. The 
proprietor has spared no expense in the restoration. He has not only 
brought the plates to the beauty of the most perfect copies we have ever 
seen, but he has given them all the beauty and boldness and finish of 
proofs. A more beautiful work of art than the whole series will present, 
we cannot imagine. The genius of the poet and the artist combine to 
lend a lustre to each picture ; the whole forming the most original work 
ever executed. In comparison with these prints, all other illustrations 
of Shakspeare fall into insignificance. It is a matter of public congrat- 
ulation that our country has thus become possessed of one of England's 
proudest monuments of intellectual glory. We ^ee that it is alreadvp.y- 
citing envy on the other side of the AilsinXiQ,."— Home Journal, Aug. 10. 



S3 APPENDIX. 

The following article is extracted from Hewet's Excelsior and Illustrated 
Times. Mr. Hewei's reputation as a man of taste, and as the illustrator 
of a very beautiful edition cf Shakspeare, and of other works, is too 
widely known to require comment. 

" Boydell's Illustrations of Shakspeare is a work so well known that it 
is unnecessary to comment upon it here to any extent. Beyond dispute, 
it is the most magnificent Avork ever executed in any age or country. — 
Upwards of sixty of the most renowned artists of the world were en- 
gaged in designing, painting and engraving the work, upwards of twenty 
years. It was commenced in 17S5, and finished in 1809. Alderman 
Boydell, afterwards Lord Mayor of London, a very wealthy man, resolved 
to immortalize his own name, as well as to gratify his love of the fine 
arts, by getting up a series of Illustrations of Shakspeare that should be 
worthy of the immortal bard, and an honor to his country. For this pur- 
pose he poured out his money like water, laid the whole artistic talent of 
the world under contribution, and, after many years of indefatigable ex- 
ertion, produced his world-renowiied " 100 Illustrations of Shakspeare," 
at an expense, as is said, of a million sterling. To give an idea of che 
immense original cost of the work, it is only necessary to say, that in 
addition to the preparatory expenses, such as designs, paintings, gallery, 
&c.> many of the plates are known to have had six years' labor of the 
engraver bestowed on a single plate. 

" About seven years ago Dr. S. Spooner, a wealthy citizen of this city, 
and a man of great taste, bought all the original copper plates of this 
magnificent work, with the intention to restore them to their original proof 
state, as the greatest boon he could offer his country and the world. After 
several years of fruitless efforts, he learned that Mr. George Parker, of 
London, was the only man known capable of undertaking the supervision 
of the great enterprise, and he forthwith made hini such overtures as in- 
duced him to come out and undertake the restoration of the work. Dr. 
Spooner commenced operation on the most worn plates — of course the 
most diflicult ones to restore — and in due time several were restored to 
such perfection as astonished every beholder. Sanguine of success, and 
confident in his own resources, the Dr. went on with his great enterprise, 
until it leaked out and got into the newspapers, which caused quite a 
stir, when he began to encounter opposition from a quarter where he least 
expected it. To counteract this mischief, he invited all the most distin- 
guished artists, engravers, connoisseurs and literary men in the city to his 
house, to critically examine the original plates, and to compare the proofs 
taken from the restored plates witli the late Ilhiel Town's proof copy of 
the old work. We had the pleasure of being present at this interesting 
meeting. Many of our first engravers brought their glasses with them. 
The result was, that the \yhole meeting, without a dissenting voice, de- 
clared the .proofs from the restored plates, fully equal to the proofs struck 
by Boydell himself Nay, many went further, and declared them superior 
in several respects. 

" It is now only necessary for us, as engravers, to describe how this 
wonderful operation is performed. Every body knows, or ought to know, 
that the great labor and difiiculty of engraving is to tran-sfer the drawing 
to llie plate, or to etch upon the plate the picture to be engraved, in all its 
due proportions. Now, the process of restoring these plates is precisely 
that of working up and finishing now plates. The ground work is all 
there — every line, however minute, has to be recut with the graver 
Thus it is easily seen, that there is no ditficully in their restoration, to a 



APPENDIX. 23 

man thoroughly conversant with the original work and the styles of en- 
graving adopted ; yet it is an immense labor. It is one of the boldest 
and most costly enterprises of the kind ever engaged in by a single man. 
It is an enterprise that should arouse the sympathy and aid of every lib- 
eral man, both by his subscription and his personal recommendation of 
the work. The circulation of this truly magnificent work in our country, 
cannot but be of the highest benefit to the fine arts, by giving a correct 
taste and love for the highest works of art. It is a matter of public cod- 
gratulation that our country has become possessed of one of England's 
greatest treasures: We have frequently examined the work in progress, 
and know the truth of what we say. Dr. Spooner has the right kind of 
taste and enthusiasm, as well as ample means, to engage in such an enter- 
prise, and will complete the work, even were it at the loss of thousands. 
But this cannot be. The enterprise is only just getting known, yet sub- 
scriptions are pouring in upon him from all parts of the country. He 
has received an offf r of ten thousand pounds for his copper plates. The 
offer Avas made by a London publishing house, through their agent 
here. Of course it was unhesitatingly rejected by the proprietor, in jus- 
tice to his subscribers, his pledges, and his reputation. Though the sum 
seems large, what is it in comparison to the original cost of the work — 
Xl,000,000 sterling ! These magnificent plates will live and be prized as 
long as Shakspeare is admired, and they will find a ready market in every 
part of the Avorld." 

The following article is extracted from the Tuscaloosa Monitor of Dec. 
9th, 1848, edited by M. D. J. Slade, Esq. Of the many editorial notices 
v/hich have fallen under my observation, few have taken so noble, just, 
and disinterested a view of the subject. The original article is more 
than two columns in length. The Editor first calls attention to the enter- 
prise in the following language: 

" We would suggest to our exchanges, the expediency of giving to their 
readers some information in regard to the re-publication of Boydell's great 
work, of which an account is contained in the present Monitor. We make 
this suggestion without having the slightest personal interest in the mat- 
ter, nor even any acquaintance with any one who has ; our motive being 
simply a desire to see proper encouragement extended to a noble work of 
art, and a general diffusion given to so excellent a means of elevating 
the public taste." 

He then goes on and gives an admirable historical account of the work, 
and description of the same, which must be omitted here for want of 
room. 

"We have recently had an opportunity of examining eight of these 
restored engravings, which are now in Tuscaloosa. Some years have 
passed since we saw a set of the original proofs. We cannot, therefore, 
ourselves speak of these impressions from direct comparison ; but we can 
say that they are pre-eminently beautiful and striking ; and we are wil- 
ling to admit the testimony of the numerous artists and connoisseurs 
who have made the comparison with close and severe scrutiny, that they 
can in no manner be distinguished from the originals." 
The editor here describes the plates and then proceeds : 
"Description, however, in matters of this kind, is of little value. To 
be understood, these pictures must be seen. We presume thf,l they will 
be accessible to any person interested. 



24 APPENDIX. 

" Dr. SpoonoT commenced his labor of restoration, by very wisely se- 
lecting plates which had sufiered most from wear, as the first subjects of 
his experiments. The complete success which has attended his eflbrts, 
has excited surprise and awakened a lively interest in the vrork, on the 
other side of the water. He has already been offered from England, fifty 
thousand dollars for the plates ; but he has resolutely refused to part with 
them. His publishing price is one dollar only for each engraving. 
Prints of equal size, executed in similar style, sell, according to Acker- 
man & Co.'s catalogue, at prices varying from ^15 to ^'25 in London. It 
appears, therefore, to be abundantly manifest, that Dr. Spooner is by no 
means mercenary in his present undertaking. His price is, plainly 
enough, not fixed for the purpose ol making profit by the operation. The 
prints are sold very far below their value ; and were the plates to pas-s 
into other hands, there can be no doubt that the price would at once go 
■up, and that the world of taste would suffer, while the speculators would 
gain. The present proprietor seems to be actuated by a love of art him- 
self, and a desire to promote such a feeling in others. Nothing certainly 
in the power of one man to do, could txert a more beneficial influence in 
improving the public taste, than the general distribution of so superb a 
work as this. We sincerel}' trust, however, that one who has himself 
evinced so liberal a spirit may not in the end prove a loser by his libe- 
rality. The original projector of this great work succeeded in his grand 
design, but sank, himself, beneath its enormous weight. Its restorer must 
invest a very large capital in his difficult and hazardous undertaking; — 
but it is to be hoped that his labors will terminate in a happier issue. 

" There are in Alabama — there are, we hope, in this community, some 
who know how to value the achievements of art. There are those whose 
refined tastes are capable of appreciating the beautiful, the magnificent, 
the grand. And, utilitarian as this age may be, there are not wanting 
individuals who do not believe that all usefulness is confined to the 
mechanical and the physical. There are those who believe that the 
world is made better in proportion as its tastes are elevated and its senti- 
ments refi.ned ; and who can therefore perceive, in painting and in sculp- 
ture, in poetry, and in music, efficient means of improving the human 
race. Such may esteem the patronage of a work of art like this, a thing 
woriliy to be encouraged on solid and substantial grounds. Others, who 
feel more and who reason less, but who love the beautiful for its own 
sake, may desire to possess so rich a collection of the master-pieces of art, 
for the pleasure it is capable of affording. But whatever motive may 
lead any to lend their aid to so laudable an undertaking, we trust that 
Alabama may not be behind her sister states in promoting an enterprise, 
which, when carried out, will confer the highest honor on the country in 
which it is attempted. 

" The great labor of perfectly restoring one hundred large engravings, 
each of them a perfect study, where every line has to be retouched by the 
graver, 'must necessarily occupy quite a length of time. It is intended 
that the publication shall be made in monthly parts, each pai't containing 
two plates. Thus, though the entire cost of the work, even at its present 
very low price, is considerable, it is spread over so large a space as to 
render it light. There are paintings in this city, we presume, which 
cost, singly, more than the whole set of Bcydell's Illustrations ; but we 
question whether there is one which a connoisseur would prefer to such 
a set. Let those Avho have shown their good taste by encouraging the 
productions of the pencil, consider whether they have not now a fit oppor- 
lunitv to do equal justice to the burin." 

New-York, March 1. 1849. S. SPOONER. 



proof copy, and some proofs before the letter, in my possession, and 
without a dissenting voice, tliey liave pronounced the proofs taken from 
ihe restored plates fully equrJ to the original proofs : very many have 
gone farther und declared tliem superior. I have no hesitation in saying 
that the American edition, when completed, will he an improvement on the 
English, in several respects, Avithout interfering with the originality of the 
work in the least, which will be preserved with the greatest care. The 
ines are cut in deeper, wiiich gives the prints a sharper and clearer ap- 
pearance. The work is also printed on far better paper. The letter-press 
description and key to the plates is also a distinguishing feature of the 
American edition, and adds greatly to the interest, beauty and value of the 
M'ork. Not one person in a hundred can fully appreciate these plates 
without deep study, unless assisted by a descriptive key. This fact 1 
have had ample opportunities of testing, by noting the obseiTations con- 
stantly dropping from the many persons who have called to examine the 
work. The cheapness of the work I hardly need refer to ; the price set 
is certainly not above one-fifteenth part of the present English publishing 
price for the same class of prints. Besides its value as a soiu'ce of end- 
less amusement and instruction, it cannot fail to be a good investment : 
for the work must always be rare : its value does not depend upon fashion- 
it is a woi'k that equally interests the whole civihzed world — not a work 
for a day, but for all time. So certain am I of the perfection of the re- 
storation, that, with the advice of many friends, some of whom are for- 
eigners, I am makmg arrangements to send the work' to England and to 
the continent — confident that its republication where it oliginrttpd', must 
be attended with eminent success. S. SPOONER. 

Neio-York, Nov. I, \848. 

PtAW OF PTTBIilCATIOW. 

To be published in fifty parts, containing two plates each, to be issued 
the first of every month, commencing July 1, 1848. Price ^2.00 per 
part, to subscribers only. All letters to the Proprietor or his Agents 
:hnuld be post paid. 



/ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




014 106 038 7 



m 



AGENTS. 



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